Grate



v Model.) I I F. M..LAWRENGE.

GRATEL No. 282,333. Patented July 31. 1883.

E 13 MW mmmmmmmmmmmmX J; m1 lay) 'mmmmmmg lizvento'r.

ii izzesses.

AQMM

N. PEYERS. Phommm n hur, Wamn nm. n. c.

fuel.

I UNITED I STATES f PATENT ()FFICE. j

FRANKLIN M. LAwnENoE, or PORTLAND, MAINE.

GR-ATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 282,33, dated July 31,1883.

Application filed February 2, 1883. (Model) To all whom it may concernBe it known that I, FRANKLIN M. LAW- RENCE, of Portland, in the countyof Gumber land and State of Maine, have invented a certain new anduseful Grate for Burning Goal,

it necessary, first, to clean the grate-surface by removing clinkers andother large incombustible matter. which is ,too large to be passedthrough the grates by cuttingout' and dropping into the ash-pit thatpart of the contents of the fire-box lying immediately upon the grates,sustaining, while so doing,the upper and greater portion of the fuelwithout extinguishing the fire second, toempty the fire-box; third, toremove ashes and small useless matter from the fuel and pass it throughthe grates into the ash-pit by shaking or agitating the These operationsI secure in my invention.

I employ the mechanism illustrated in. the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1 is a top view of the grates in position for use. I Fig. 2shows the mechanism in position to sustain thefuel, apart being brokenaway to show the grate dropped vertically.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the device em-. ployed to sustain and movethe grates.

Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 show detached parts.

Like letters show similar parts throughout the several views. I

In Fig. 1, A is the grate-frame, to which the mechanism is secured, andupon which the brick lining G rests.

G is the hangers, one being bolted to each end of the grate-frame, andin which the journals of the grates and curved plates are made torevolve freely.

As my grate is composed of two or more sets of narrow grates and theirrespective curved plates, I will describe one set, each other set Iemploy being constructed in the same manner.-

The grate E (see Fig. 1) extends the whole length of the fire-box, andis made narrow and of unusual depth through the bars. It has a cam, D,on its under surface, (see Fig. 5,) and on its journal a stud, I.Additional camsmay be added to support the grate near its middle.

B is a curved plate (see Fig. 4.) extending longitudinally through thefire-box, and when not in use it is entirely below the grate-surface. Itis made preferably without any interstices, and is connected by arms toits journals, one of which is cast hollow to receive the wrench. (See L,Fig. 4..) Upon its lower edge are projections or bosses, one for eachcam on the grate, and on one end is a stud, J, which engages with thehorn or stud I of the grate. Its upper edge may be serrated to enable itto pass through the fuel readily. It is made to revolve through thespace between the grate and the grate-frame to' the position shown inFig. 2.

The studs I of the grate and J of the plate may both be omitted withoutinterfering with theworking of the grate. The curve of the plate or thelength of the arms may be changed,

so as to cut out more or less of the fuel, or to adapt it to any specialwork or apparatus. The camsof the grate'(see Figs. 3and 5) are of suchshape as to rest upon the bosses F of the curved plate, and to sustainthe grate when the plate is in the position shown in Fig. l, and togradually drop the grate as the plate passes over to the position shownin Fig. 2. The cams maybe of such contour as to cause a quick orretarded movement of the grate.

All possibility of dropping the fuel, and thus losing the fire, .isprevented by causing the plate to pass nearly over before dropping thegrate.

I usually employ but, two grates, each having its respective supportingcurved plate, as above described, but do not limit myself to any number,which may be connected by gearing K K, (see Fig. 2,) attached to thejournals of the curved plates.

Figs. 6 and 7 show a cast plate which I bolt into and make a part of,the outer front wall of the stove. Ithas a circular opening, N, throughwhich the wrench is introduced to work the grate. The swinging cap M,provided with the stud 0, (see Figs. 6 and 7,) is so pivotedto thisplate, above the center of the opening N, as to move freely to eitherside, and by its weight to drop and cover the opening N when the wrenchis not in position for use.

Fig. 9 shows the wrench used for operating the mechanism, carrying uponits shank the horn S, and having one of itssides concave to fit thehollow journal of the curved plate. (See L, Fig. 4.) This is to insurethe use of the wrench in one invariable position, the desirability ofwhich will appear hereinafter.

Having described the mechanism, Iwill now explain its operation.

WVith the grates in position, as shown in Fig. 1, push the disk M on theplate R (which is bolted in and made a part of the outer wall of thestove) to the right, and insert the wrench through the opening N intothe hollow shank of the curved plate, and throw the handle over to theleft. The curved plates, being geared together, move upward through thefuel simultaneously,while the grates, being gradually deprived ofsupport as the bosses 011 the curved plates move backward under thegrate-cams, drop vertically, (lumping whatever may be between them andthe curved plates, which now support the fuel, into the ash-pit. (SeeFig. 2.) By reversing the movement of the wrench both the grates andcurved plates are returned to the position shown in Fig. 1. One forwardand backward movement of the wrench cleans the grate-surface and afewrepetitions of the movement will empty the fire-box, thus accomplishingthe two first operations above referred to as being considerednecessary. For the third operationthat of shaking the fil816- move thewrench, push the disk M to the left, insert the wrench, and throw thehandle over, as before, until the horn S of the wrench engages with thestud O of the disk M,which prevents fu'rther motion. Owing to thepeculiar shape of the wrench-shank and its socket L, (see Fig. 4,) abovereferred to, the relative position of the horn S and the stud O is fixedand unchangeable, and therefore the motion of the wrench must always bearrested. at' the same point when the disk M is moved to the left. Thisstop attachment prevents the curved plates from passing entirely over,and consequently the grates are not dropped. A forward and backwardmovement of the wrench gives the curved plates a motion in and out ofthe fuel and the grates a slight rise and fall, which causes the coalsto grind up on each other, and thus to free themselves of ashes andother clogging substances, which are jolted through the grates anddropped into the ashpit.

I am aware that grates have heretofore been constructed having a singlecurved plate and grate geared together, either being of sufficient sizeto support the contents of the fire-box.- The objection to this form ofconstruction is that the heat of the fire warps the grate and twists thejournals out of their proper relation to each other, thus rendering thegrate inoperative. Again, the distance through which both grate andcurved plate have to pass is so great that the coal frequently clogs thegrate and prevents its operation. Other grates have been constructedhaving a segment cast onto their outer side, and so arranged as tosustain the contents of the fire-box while the fuel-sup- I porting partof the grate is dropped.

- All grates hitherto made, of which Ihave any knowledge, designed todump the fuel imme- I diately upon the grate into the ash-pit whilesustaining the upper portion of the contents of the fire-box have notmet with general favor, owing to their being unreliable in any butskillful hands. This difficulty I obviate in my in vention.

I do not claim, broadly, the use of the curved I sustaining-plate.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is- 1. The grate E, having one or morecams, D, in, combination with and supported by the curved plate 13,having one or more bosses, F, constructed and arranged to operate asdescribed.

2. The combination of two or more grates, E, each having its supportingcurved plate B, as described, with the gears K, grate-frame A, andhangers O, operating as specified.

3. Two or more grates with their respective supporting curved platesattached to the grateframe and suitably geared together, in combinationwith the wrench T, having the horn S,

the plate R, and the cap M, provided with the stud O, constructed andarranged to operate substantially as described, for the purposespecified.

FRANKLIN M. LAWVRENCE:

\Vitnesses:

J AMES NoYEs, I. B. GREGORY.

